Device and method for accurately obtaining measurement data for pool covers and other objects

ABSTRACT

A device and method of visually confirming at a work site the accuracy of measurements representing the shape of an object such as a pool for the creation of a form fitted pool cover. The device includes a microprocessor for inputting a plurality of measurements representing a plurality of reference points corresponding to the shape of the object. The device further stores the measurements in the microprocessor. The microprocessor processes the inputted measurements and individually displays on the monitor reference points corresponding to the measurements inputted. This allows for the visual confirmation as to the accuracy of each of the measurements by providing the ability to compare the image displayed on the monitor with the shape of the object.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a portable device and method for compiling andstoring data relating to the dimensional measurements of an object thatare then later used to reproduced the shape of the object at an off-sitemanufacturing facility. Visual verification of the accuracy of themeasurement data is provided at the work site so as to minimize costlymeasurement related errors. The device may be used with two and threedimensional objects.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a method and device for accurately takingmeasurements corresponding to the shape or an object and which are laterused to recreate the object's shape at a remote location. Virtuallyerror free measurement data is obtained by providing on-site visualverification of the measurement data taken. The device includes aportable microprocessor in which measurement data is inputted via akeyboard. The microprocessor includes software for receiving, storingand processing the inputted data and a monitor for visually displayingthe shape represented by the inputted data. By visually representing theshape defined by the data inputted at the job-site, an operator mayvisually confirm that the shape shown on the monitor corresponds to theshape measured. Providing visual confirmation at the job-site allows anoperator to correct any incorrect measurements prior to leaving thesite.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a representative data input screen used in one embodimentof the present;

FIG. 2 shows a screen display visually indicating that correctmeasurement data has been inputted;

FIG. 3 shows a screen display visually showing that incorrect data hasbeen inputted; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Prior to the development of the present invention, two-dimensionalobjects such as pool covers and the like were measured and manufacturedin an extremely inefficient manner. To create a pool cover, an operatorwould first need to travel to the work-site and manually perform thetedious task of recording on paper the line measurements of the pool'sshape. The measurements taken typically consisted of a series ofmeasured distances from two spaced apart reference points that were thenlater used to create a cover corresponding to the shape of the pool at amanufacturing facility. Often, to record the measurements needed for acontoured pool cover, upwards of 100 individual measurements needed tobe accurately taken and accurately recorded. Then, at the off-sitelocation, the measurements needed to be accurately inputted. A singleincorrect measurement or input at any stage of the process will producean incorrect match between the object manufactured and the desiredshape.

The current method used by the industry requires an operator to firstmanually record the line measurements of an object on a sheet of paperand to draw a sketch representing the shape of the object measured. Thedata obtained is then delivered to a manufacturing facility where thedata is inputted into an Autometrics cutting machine.

The Autometrics machine, prior to production, visually displays a shapecorresponding to the data inputted. If the shape shown on the displaymatches the hand sketch, there is no inaccuracies. If not, an operatormust again travel to the work site and the entire process is repeateduntil the visual display matches the hand-drawn sketch.

Such procedures, when mistakes occur, are extremely costly andtime-consuming. When a mistake occurs, an operator must first scheduleanother visit to the work site, which adds additional cost and delaysproduction. Moreover, remeasuring at the work site still does notguarantee accurate measurements, since visual confirmation of theaccuracy is only provided at the manufacturing site.

The present invention provides a device and method that allows anoperator to obtain virtually error-free measurement data. While thepresent invention is particularly useful in the manufacture of poolcovers, tarps, and the like, it also has applicability to otherapplications in which the shapes of two and three dimensional objectsneed to be recreated at a remote location.

As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the present invention achieves error-freemeasurement data by providing a microprocessor 10, such as a laptopcomputer, which is programmed to allow an operator to input theappropriate line measurements of the object's shape via a keyboard 12.The processor is further programmed to process the inputted data and tovisually display the shape represented by the data on a monitor 14. Thedisplay is created on an ongoing bases as each individual referencepoint is inputted.

In use, an operator travels to the work site and inputs the linemeasurements of the object into the portable microprocessor. To assistthe operator in organizing the inputted data, the microprocessor may beprogrammed to provide a screen frame in which inputted data may beeasily organized. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, a screen display mayrequest the operator to not only input the measurement data, but otherimportant information such as the customer's identity and type ofmaterial to be used. As each measurement data is inputted, the inputteddata is processed and used to create a reference point corresponding tothe shape of the object that is displayed on the monitor. This may bedone in a split-screen display. This allows the operator to determine ifaccurate information has been inputted for each individual measurement,and if not, allows re-measurement or input prior to repeating theprocedure for the next reference point.

By visually comparing the shape on the monitor with the actual shape ofthe object, an operator may immediately determine at the work sitewhether any inaccurate measurement was obtained or inputted. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 2, a properly entered data set accuratelydisplays the shape 20 of the pool cover. However, as shown in FIG. 3, aninaccurate measurement will be easily noticed by the operator since anincorrect measurement 30 is easily noticed. Prior to leaving the worksite, any necessary corrections may be made until an accurate visualrepresentation is obtained. By visually verifying the resulting shapecorresponding to the inputted data, a virtually error-free method ofmeasuring the shape of an object is obtained.

Next, the operator may then store the inputted data on a storage devicesuch as a diskette for subsequent downloading into machinery that willbe used to construct the object. This will eliminate input errors.Alternatively, the inputted data may be electronically transmitted tothe manufacturing site for use.

Electronically transmitting the verified information also allowsoperators to not only quickly and accurately process the data necessaryto reconstruct the shape of an object, it also allows the information tobe used between two geographically remote points. Such a system allows amanufacturer numerous economic benefits.

Currently available software from applicant, which is sold under the A-BVERIFIER™ trademark, may be used on currently available DOS-basedmicroprocessors. In addition, the software may be further configured toperform the necessary operations to provide an on-the-work-site pricequote.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to thepreferred embodiments described would be apparent to those skilled inthe art. Changes and modifications can be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishingits intended advantages. It is, therefore, intended that such changesand modifications be covered by the following claims.

1. A method of visually confirming at a work site the accuracy ofmeasurements representing the shape of an object, comprising: inputtinginto a microprocessor a plurality of measurements representing aplurality of reference points corresponding to said object's shape;storing said measurements in said microprocessor; using saidmicroprocessor to process said inputted measurements and to individuallydisplay each of said plurality of reference points corresponding to saidmeasurements on a monitor; and visually confirming the accuracy of eachof said measurements by comparing said image displayed on said monitorwith said object.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein upon visuallyconfirming an incorrect measurement input, said processor allows anoperator to input a second corrective data measurement.
 3. The method ofclaim 1 wherein said microprocessor highlights data to be corrected. 4.The method of claim 1 wherein said object is a pool cover.
 5. The methodof claim 1 wherein said object is two dimensional.
 6. The method ofclaim 1 wherein said object is three dimensional.
 7. A portablemeasuring device comprising: a microprocessor for receiving a pluralityof reference point measurement data corresponding to a shape of anobject; and a monitor in communication with said microprocessor, saidmonitor usually displays the location of each of said reference points,whereby inaccurate measurement data may be visually recognized andcorrected.